ifs, ands, or buts
Quibbles and protests
Objections, excuses, or qualifications.
The phrase appears almost exclusively in the negative—no ifs, ands, or buts—to insist on unconditional compliance or acceptance: You're going to school today, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
The three conjunctions represent the ways someone might hedge or argue back.
- no excusesRefusing to justify failure
- excusesExplanations offered for faults
- ifsConditional possibilities
- loopholeExploitable gap in rules
- escape clauseContract provision permitting withdrawal
caveat · proviso · on one condition · equivocation · weasel words · stipulation · maybes · unconditional · quibble · fine print · small print · objection · evasion · cop out · qualification · wiggle room · get out of jail free · doubt
ifs, ands, or butsunconditional acceptance
Embrace requiring nothing in return
no questions asked · without reservation · no strings attached · carte blanche · blind obedience
ifs, ands, or butsyes sir
Respectful military assent
will do · right away · at your service · no problem · absolutely
ifs, ands, or butsfirm commitment
Unwavering promise to act
absolute certainty · decisive action · unwavering resolve · straight talk